Letters to the Editor - Millerton News - 7-14-16

Not the best way to find a new garage site

I am again concerned about the misguided manner that the town of North East is using to select a new town garage site. Let’s be clear, almost everybody realizes and agrees that a new location and facility is needed — myself included. However, the manner in which the effort is being pursued is again riddled with shortcomings similar to the proposal overwhelmingly defeated by town and village voters 3.3 to 1 last fall.

Contrary to what the town appears to believe is an open and fair process, the search is again being conducted in a manner that is quiet, not well publicized, or inclusive of the voter/taxpayers. And again the town leaders are strangely focused on the too small, flood plain located Dutchess Diesel garage site surrounded by 14 houses. Numerous “public meetings” have been held by the garage search committee, now disbanded and the town. But who knew? Afternoon and Friday evening meetings?

Last Friday evening, July 8, there was another public meeting on the topic, but only one person from the public attended — and not even an interested member of the disbanded committee was aware of the meeting. Earlier garage meetings also have been poorly attended previously — with maybe two members of the public. Is this any way to have representative participation when such an expensive taxpayer funded decision is going to be made? Five guys in a room — like Albany — in our town? If people aren’t showing up, then you are failing to make them aware of the opportunity to hear and comment.

I live perhaps five houses away from the town supervisor, but no invitation despite my role in last fall’s embarrassing defeat. No public notice was posted in the Post Office, nor American Legion, nor Agway, nor Village Hall, nor … you get the idea. And certain probably appropriate sites have been excluded because somebody said they smelled gasoline?

This is supposed to be a democratic, friendly and cohesive village and town, and yet it isn’t being handled that way. An increase in our taxes — which everybody already complains about, with seniors and others struggling to pay — are in play, and yet we are not being included in the discussion. Public discussion should be encouraged, not avoided. There are solutions to the town garage problem that are not being considered. Let’s watch this issue closely because if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck … it might be a turkey.

Slow it down, gentlemen, and include people who are not part of the good ‘ole boy network.

Let’s do this right.

Peter Greenough

Millerton

Valyou home, more thank yous

Scott Dean was more than the builder of the smart home, he served as on-site supervisor, manager and contact person to the T2T Foundation people/contacts. Additionally, Bobby and Nancy Cookingham, who helped with a little bit of everything, Stacey and Jason Watson, Kelly and Walter Kilmer and all the others who worked behind the scenes whose names I do not know.  

The small town, caring community were some of the reasons that my parents, Jack and Mary Bilquin, Stephen’s maternal grandparents, moved to Millerton in 1969. 

Please accept my sincerest gratitude.

Catherine Bilquin

Jensen Beach, Fla.